English department creates writers week

English teacher Steve Leftridge addresses a freshman class on Jan. 20. He selected the writers to showcase in the upcoming writers week. Photo by Alex Ring.

“Not all writing is essays,” explained Rita Chapman, the English teacher who helped create the first annual All Write program.

This is a concept that is illustrated in the choices of award-winning writers who have been invited to speak at this writing conference.

Beginning on Feb. 25 and lasting until Feb. 27, students should expect 22 consecutive assemblies. This was a thought that initially scared Chapman and other English teachers, but after realizing the potential to inspire and introduce writing in a new light, the teachers understood the sacrifice, Chapman said.

Writing concepts go much further than they’re expected to go in a school setting. Students will better understand the essential skills of writing and its diversity when cartoonists, novelists, children’s book authors, journalists and even songwriters are brought to Webster Groves, Chapman said,

The idea of a writing festival or writers week started in Chicago at William Fremd High School. The idea of dedicating a week to literature and writing in every sense then found its way to Hazelwood West, which was the last step before bringing it to Webster Groves. Chapman and her English teaching colleagues sat in on a day of the writers week at Hazelwood West and had instant inspiration, according to Chapman.

The selection process for writers was based off of two lists: writers who are local and writers who are prestigious.

“Lucky for us, those two lists overlap,” Chapman said.

English teacher Steve Leftridge is in charge of the selection process, and by just sending emails to local authors, he found himself having to organize schedules of over 20 professionals.

Guests like Ann Leckie, who has won the 2014 Hugo Award for Best Novel with her book “Ancillary Justice,” and Dwight Bitikofer, who is a poet who to be accompanied by saxophone, show different applications of writing that students will be exposed during the three and a half days.

Guest writers will present lecture-style workshops, question and answer sessions, interactive writing discussions and more in the Little Theater.

Like normal assemblies, teachers must sign up for their classes to attend.

Webster students have the opportunity at a cash prize if they submit a piece to the writing competition. The winners will read their writing as an opening act for a few of the guest writers. Submission forms are found in English teacher’s classrooms.

Hixson cancels annual activity fair

Assistant activities director Cliff Ice announced March 8, that the Hixson Activity Fair scheduled for March 14, has been canceled due to the potential school protests.

The fair provides an opportunity for Hixson eighth graders to talk to current Webster Groves High School students representing different sports and clubs.

The fair has not been rescheduled.

Musicians compete at Solo and Ensemble festival

Orchestra students earned awards in 10 events at the Solo and Ensemble festival at Parkway Central High School on Saturday, March 3.

Senior Jeremy Ling earned exemplary ratings in all three of his events and will also compete at State.

Those who received exemplary ratings and may compete at State for solo performances are Ling for Violin Solo, senior Alex Bird for Violin Solo, senior Anna Bussler for Violin Solo and junior Hope Johnson for Cello Solo.

Those who received exemplary ratings for ensembles were seniors Bird, Bussler, Brady Chrisler and Ling for Violin Quartet; and seniors Chrisler, Ling and Terry Johnson for Violin Trio.

Those who received outstanding ratings were freshmen Anna Tetreault and Ava Andrews for String Duet, senior Kelaiah Killmade for Cello Solo and freshman Nataly Meckfessel for Cello Solo.

Students earn service award

This award recognizes Americans who volunteer significant amounts of time to serve their communities and country and was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program.

Seniors recognized as Missouri Scholars

Seniors Jack Snelling and Ethan Whitaker will be recognized by the Missouri Scholars 100, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri’s top academic students, at a luncheon in Columbia on April 22.

Photo of the Week

"To the adults who say we are too naive, too idealistic, too inexperienced and that we will not get this done: we would like nothing more to be in our classrooms right now." Elliot Williams said to the student who walked out to protest gun laws and the administration who watched to make sure everyone is safe on Wednesday, March 14. Photo by Riley Mullgardt